City Campus Reception - Level 5, Building 94 23-27 Cardigan Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Brunswick Campus International Centre of Graphic Technology Reception Level 1, Building 515 25 Dawson Street, Brunswick, Victoria 3056 Email: design.tafe@rmit.edu.au Phone: +61 (03) 9925 4819

Highlights from The School of Design TAFE January - June 2011

In this issue...Advanced Manufacturing Precinct VM Students Dress up B94 IDD Student Competition Furniture Design Awards Graphic Design work with Smiggle IDD Mentor Night An Exciting Year for L&T Field day at Fuji Xerox Building Design - Grant Winners

The Advanced Manufacturing Precinct launched by Professor Margaret Gardner AORMIT Building 55, the George Thompson Building on the corner of Cardigan and Queensberry Streets has been renovated and extended to become a new and dynamic centre for advanced manufacturing activities now known as the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct AMP. The principal colleges involved in the AMP are Science, Engineering & Health and Design and Social Context. Read more...

IDD - BQ Design & Zepel Fabrics Student Competition 2011Early this year the Interior design & decoration program was approached to do a student & industry combined project.The 2nd year Soft Furnishing students were given a project brief at the showroom of Zepel Fabrics, Fairfield where they were to source their fabrics from for this current project. Read more...

VM Dress-Up Building 94The front windows at Building 94 provides an opportunity for the 2nd year Visual Merchandising students to work in a realistic environment that is inline with what is out there in industry. Read more...

Furniture Design students score Top Awards at Furniture Training Awards 2011Students from the Diploma of Furniture Design won some of the top awards at the Annual Furnishing Training Awards conducted by The Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (FIAA) in May this year. The FIAA is the state, peak representative body established to promote the profitable growth, competitiveness, innovation and export readiness of all Furnishing and Allied Industry participants. More....

Graphic Design turn out more great Smiggle designsOnce again second year Diploma of Graphic Design students have worked with Tony Zammit from Smiggle. The project was facilitated by Al Briggs and the shortlisted students pitched to the design studio at Smiggle. The project achieved excellent results with the winning artwork being reproduced on Smiggle products and will be available for sale in their retail shops in a few months. Read more...

2011 - An exciting year in the School from an L & T perspective so far...The bigger and better L & T Committee is humming along - new agendas, new focii. Big focus on compliance aspects this year - Course Guides and now Program Guides need to be completed - we are making steady progress but there is still much to do to make sure we are on top. More...

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The AMP was launched in June 2011 by Professor Margaret Gardner AO, Vice-Chancellor and PresidentRMIT Building 55 the George Thompson Building on the corner of Cardigan and Queensberry Streets has been renovated and extended to become a new and dynamic centre for advanced manufacturing activities now known as the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct AMP. The principal colleges involved in the AMP are Science, Engineering & Health and Design and Social Context. The AMP facility will enable development of designers, engineers and technicians, for the future by focusing on advanced manufacturing technologies, materials and processes that enable mass customisation of innovative and personalised design solutions associated with critical manufacturing industry sectors for the State of Victoria and Australia in general. Furthermore, it will provide strategic support to the development of new industry capabilities in Victoria of relevance to global export markets.

Prof. Margaret Gardener AO, Vice-Chancellor and President launched the AMP with Hon. Richard Dalla-Riva (MLC) Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, and Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade.

A key focus of the AMP will be direct (additive) or rapid manufacturinginvolving fabrication of components in advanced materials such as high performance metals, plastics and composites, by moving from the rapid prototyping domain to full-scale, production of customised functional final products and parts, directly from design without the need for tooling in the critical path. The AMP will play a critical role in helping the industry, and Victorian SMEs, in particularl, to develop the new capabilities for this growing future economy. Principally, it will be a learning centre for students and industry with consolidated areas of advanced manufacturing technology in building 55 for a state of the art facility, which uses a production approach, where all learning is project based, industry relevant and where new concepts of manufacturing and design are established and trialled concurrently. The teaching and learning approach will seek to design projects and scenarios that integrate across sectors and national competencies, and where industry is involved in the validation and moderation of these projects.

School of Design TAFE Staff - Julian Pratt and Jan Henry-Jones at the launch.

It is intended that the AMP will establish ongoing partnerships with industry, including applied research for new and emerging manufacturing technologies and processes, educational development and innovation. The new manufacturing technologies and capabilities within the precinct will enable the production of a greater diversity of innovative products that meet a wider range of consumer needs compared to conventional manufacturing technologies. The advent of the AMP will afford an exciting opportunity for the programs, students and staff within the School of Design to engage with the new facility.

VM students dress up B94The front windows at Building 94 provides an opportunity for the 2nd year Visual Merchandising students to work in a realistic environment that is inline with what is out there in industry. The students develop concepts, produce and source materials and construct props and install the window. In the construction stage of the project the students liaise with external suppliers and contractors, this develops their communication and networking skills. The end result is a collaborative project and a striking folio piece.

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IDD BQ Design & Zepel Fabrics Student Competition 2011Overview of Project

Early this year the Interior design & decoration program was approached to do a student & industry combined project. The 2nd year soft Furnishing students were given a project brief at the showroom of Zepel Fabrics, Fairfield where they were to source their fabrics from for this current project. The following week we quickly whisked them all out to BQ Design, Notting Hill manufacturing plant to view all operations of products relating to the Soft furnishing Industry.The Brief

To design a luxurious bedroom apartment utilising both BQ Design and Zepel Fabrics products. All products were to be custom designed in accordance with the product ranges from each company. The project required a full range of products including curtains and blinds, upholstered bed head, bed spread and valance, decorator cushions and throw rugs, and suitable furniture to complete the room interior. Once the project was sourced, designed and preliminary presentation were completed, the students were required to specify all products from selection, production to installation in the clients home. Completion of the project saw live presentations in the RMIT studios to representatives of both companies & RMIT staff.The Prize.

Three students were to be selected as finalists each receiving a magazine subscription to two prominent Interior magazines. The winning entry was to have the whole design actually put into production and displayed in the showrooms of both companies at a later timeslot. Finally, the wining entry was to be photographed and published in the 2 Interior Magazines for 2011. Establishing an impressive portfolio for the future.Reflection

This project allowed the 2nd year students to work on a live project with great outcomes. They learnt to deal with various companies, meet a tight brief and present to the client for final approval and selection. All in all a fabulous opportunity to step into the real world of decorating. A fantastic opportunity for all concerned.

Furniture Design Furniture Training AwardsStudents from the Diploma of Furniture Design participated in the Annual Furnishing Training Awards conducted by The Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (FIAA) in May this year. The FIAA is the state, peak representative body established to promote the profitable growth, competitiveness, innovation and export readiness of all Furnishing and Allied Industry participants. The following students from the School of Design TAFE at RMIT University won awards in two separate categories: Sarah Gunn - Forestworks Diploma in Furnishing Technology Award Liam Thomas - Forty Winks Diploma of Arts Furniture Design Award In addition, we had students who were among the Finalist in the Pre-apprentice Award - Zepnep Mewman, and Youghawan Ahn. Both produced great work but just missed out on the major prize.

Franklin Wilbrink with student Sarah Gunn after she received her award at the Annual Furnishing Training Awards

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Whats happening in Graphic Design so far this year?Once again second year Diploma of Graphic Design students have worked with Tony Zammit from Smiggle to produce illustrations for their range. This year the brief was to appeal to their 8-12 year old demographic. The project was facilitated by Al Briggs and the shortlisted students pitched to the design studio at Smiggle. The project achieved excellent results with the winner, Jen Hall receiving a $500 prize and the artwork being reproduced on Smiggle products and available for sale in their retail shops in a few months. Second year students also applied for the SPARK awards and two students, Jen Hall and Manderlee Anstice were selected to complete a 2 week intenship at the Bue Marlin Studios, Ultimo, Sydney. They are also in the running to be selected for a 3 month placement at the Blue Marlin studios in London. Sarah Buntingn (teacher) has been working with the first year Graphic Design students and Andrew from the Victims Support Agency in the Department of Justice to produce relevant promotional material to increase awareness of crime amongst young adults. The most successful outcomes will be printed and used in their awareness campaign. Sarah Brennan (teacher) has been active in placing second year students in a wide range of design studios. Some students have had the opportunity to work on freelance projects for clients including the Ballarat International Photographic Biennale and promotional/awareness material for LARA (LAM (a rare lung disease) Australasia Research Alliance).

Smiggle Competition - Finalists

Winners work - Jen Hall

IDD Mentor NightThis was a super evening! It was very exciting and encouraging to see the really strong relationship that the Interior Design and Decoration program has managed to build and maintain with industry over the past 18 yrs. This is truly Connectedness at work, and Jenny Crowley is to be congratulated on her professional approach to the organization and management of this fantastic student experience again this year. Thank you Jenny! We have managed to place 46 students with mentors this year, and still have other interested companies coming on board. The launch was held at a beautiful textile showroom - The Crowson Group - in Burwood Rd. Hawthorn, and was extremely well attended by industry mentors, Sally Leavold, Keith Cowlishaw and others. Its always great to see the industry members catch up with each other at this annual event - they seem to have as much fun as the students! Congratulations to all staff, and especially Adriana Sinopoli, and the 1st year student helpers for making this evening so successful!

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2011 - An exciting year in the School from an L & T perspective so far...The bigger and better Learning & Teaching (L & T) Committee is humming along - new agendas, new focii. We do need representation from every program to make sure the messages and ideas are being captured and dispersed. Big focus on compliance aspects this year - Course Guides and now Program Guides need to be completed - we are making steady progress but there is still much to do to make sure we are on top.

PD days at Brunswick campusHighly successful from feedback received so far - despite the dates not being perfect! A great buzz there at 9.00am on the Wed. morning - thank you to all for your attendance and promptness. Well be seeking your further feedback and suggestions for next year in the next couple of weeks. The sessions were targeted and meaningful with small groups encouraging open discussion, and a couple of large groups in the CAD labs learning all about CAD and Online learning possibilities.The Format

The introductory session by Allan Ballagh - Director of TAFE - was enlightening, as was the Panel Reflection Session at the end - Where will the School be in 2016?. The Panel of Sally Leavold, Sherridan Maxwell, Keith Cowlishaw, Michael Goss and Melinda Waters from the TDC provided some thoughtful and informative commentary for staff to consider going forward.Catering

A wonderful hot lunch rounded out proceedings on a very lively note on the Friday, great discussion, and a sense of a School of Design community auger well for a very positive future.Acknowledgements

Huge thanks go to Rachel Roberts for her wonderful organization around many aspects, including the catering. Noel Maloney for his contacts with staff and presenter discussions, to Kevin Francke for his work on the brochure and the two super presentations he created. Kevin was joy to work with on these. Also to Fiera Poulos and other staff at Brunswick for all their terrific support throughout. Its up to us to lead the way......Victoria Versteege for L & T.

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Field day at Fuji XeroxStudents in the Diploma of Graphic Design had a wonderful opportunity to work with Richard Barry and his team from Fuji Xerox to explore the new varnish capabilities of the Fuji Xerox Color 1000 Press. The project was incorporated in to a Festival Promotion Brief. The students considered and specified gloss varnish as a design element into their posters and a brochure. They then attended the FujiXerox showroom in St Kilda Road to print their artwork. A number of prizes from Fuji Xerox were on offer to the most successful design outcomes, that also creatively and effectively apply the spot varnish. Second year Design and Typography teachers, Gerard Brennan and Dave Whitehead, facilitated the project and along with Richard were involved in selecting the winning work. The project concluded in May with three talented students - Ingrid Horton, Kyla Hall, and Jayde Dortmans winning first,second and third places respectively. They received their prizes at an informal gathering at Brunswick where representatives from Fuji Xerox spoke about the high standard of work produced by the students and what factors they looked for when judging the work.

The School of Design TAFE expressed their thanks to Fuji Xerox for initiating the project, offering the prizes and printing all the posters and brochures. I just like to say thanks to you and your team for allowing Fuji Xerox to partner with the School of Design on the Festival Poster Project. I really enjoyed the process and think it was a very successful competition and something which we look forward to building upon in the near future. Richard Barry - FujiXerox. The winning students with Richard Barry of FujiXerox

First Prize - Ingrid Horton

Second Prize - Kyla Hall

Third Prize - Jayde Dortmans

Building Design - Student Grant Winners

The BDAV initiated a new Student Grant program this year to assist Student Members with the cost of completing their studies. Students had to: comment on what was their primary motivation for having embarked on a career path in the building design profession; comment on where they ultimately saw themselves within the building design profession, and how they planned to achieve this objective; prepare a Business Plan on how they proposed to spend the $2,000 grant money.

17 submissions were received from Student Members, and the BDAV thanks them all for participating. The standard of entries was very high, resulting in keen discussion amongst the judging panel. It was particularly pleasing to see a high focus on environmental aspects in Photo: courtesy of Dean Gordon Photography the submissions, reflecting that the state of design for the future will be in good hands. Five grants, each of $2,000, were presented at the BDAVs Annual Dinner held on 29 July 2011, to (in alphabetical order) Tanjil Conrad, Bryce Dowling, Joel Duncan, Marta Kelly, and Jennifer Newitt. The BDAV congratulates the five winners, and wishes them all a rewarding and fulfilling career as future building designers.

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